About

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 29 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As one of the country's largest food banks, our mission is to end hunger in New York City by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research.

There are 2.9 million New Yorkers who experience difficulty affording food — an astounding number and one that continues to increase as the donated food supply drops to an all-time low and food costs skyrocket. To address this issue, the Food Bank procures and distributes food to a network of more than 1,000 community-based member programs citywide, helping to provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. In addition, CookShop, our government-funded nutrition education program reaches approximately 30,000 children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamp direct service and outreach and training and advocacy; as well as Free Income Tax Services for the working poor that last year put more than $65 million back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers through tax refunds and Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Working toward long-term solutions to food poverty, the Food Bank develops policy and conducts research to inform community and government efforts.